Canonization of Blessed Frederic Ozanam
Frédéric Ozanam is recognized internationally for his charitable work, mainly through the foundation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in April 1833. An intellectual and a fervent Catholic, he committed his whole life and his faith to the service of those most in need. Deeply committed to justice and human dignity, he contributed during his lifetime to the development of Catholic Social Teaching. Aged only 40, he gave his soul back to his Creator in 1853, after a life full of spiritual riches, devoted wholeheartedly to the poor. His thought and his writings, still not widely known, are the subject of research nowadays, but it was above all through his exemplary life that Frédéric Ozanam inspires and guides innumerable believers around the world.
The Cause for Canonization
In 1925, over 70 years after the death of Frédéric Ozanam, the Diocese of Paris opened the procedure for canonization, with the information-gathering stage. Eleven months later (February 1926), the Cause took its first important step forward when an eighteen-month old Brazilian boy, Fernando Luiz B. Ottoni, experienced a miraculous cure from a dangerous form of diphtheria. On 22 June 1995, after a lengthy enquiry, this cure was officially recognized as a miracle through the intercession of Ozanam.
A long-expected 2nd stage was passed on 22 August 1997 with the Beatification of Frédéric Ozanam by Pope John Paul II during the World Youth Days in Paris. The ceremony took place in Notre-Dame Cathedral.
A process following its course
The cause for the Canonization of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam is now led and promoted by a commission of the International Council General, whose members are:
- Amin de Tarrazi (Delegate to Cause for Canonization and former president general)
- Dr. Michael Thio (current President General)
- Julien Spiewak (Secretary General)
- Anne WINTENBERGER (Training coordinator)
- Sebastián Gramajo (Vice-President for communications)
- Ralph Middlecamp (Executive Director of the District Council of Madison, Wisconsin, USA)
The Commission has the task of maintaining relations with the Postulator for the Cause for the Canonization of Ozanam: Fr. Shijo A. KANJIRATHAMKUNNEL, C.M. It is presently gathering the medical documents concerning a cure brought about through the intercession of Ozanam that took place in Venezuela. This case must undergo a rigorous enquiry, involving many experts, in order to authenticate it. The Commission follows the Postulator’s instructions, to guide the work of the Venezuelan members involved. It meets for regular updates on the progress of the procedure.
A prayer has been written, asking the Lord to allow another miracle that will lead to the Canonization of the Founder of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. This prayer, translated into 5 languages, has been sent to Councils and Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul so that it can be distributed widely among the members of the Society and other Vincentians.
Prayer for the canonization of Blessed Frederic Ozanam
In the hope of obtaining a miracle through his intercession
Lord,
You made Blessed Frédéric Ozanam a witness of the Gospel, full of wonder at the mystery of the Church.
You inspired him to alleviate poverty and injustice and endowed him with untiring generosity in the service of all who were suffering.
In family life, he revealed a most genuine love as a son, brother, husband and father.
In secular life, his ardent passion for the truth enlightened his thought, writing and teaching.
His vision for our society was a network of charity encircling the world and he instilled St Vincent de Paul’s spirit of love, boldness and humility.
His prophetic social vision appears in every aspect of his short life, together with the radiance of his virtues.
We thank you Lord, for those many gifts and we ask, if it is your will, the grace of a miracle through the intercession of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam.
May the Church proclaim his holiness, as a saint, a providential light for today’s world!
We make this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.